Canada's New Government and the Government of Alberta invest $2.7M to make Woodland Cree First Nation safer

CADOTTE LAKE, September 27, 2007 — Today, Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, together with Ron Hepperle, on behalf of the Honourable Fred Lindsay, Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security, announced a joint investment of $2.7 million for community policing for the Woodland Cree First Nation.

Mr. Warkentin joined Mr. Hepperle and Woodland Cree community leaders for the official signing ceremony of the Community Tripartite Agreement (CTA).

"Canada's New Government is committed to making our First Nations communities safer, and we are doing this today with the province of Alberta, by investing in effective policing for the Woodland Cree First Nation," said Mr. Warkentin. "Through this agreement, three RCMP officers will provide professional and real-time police services in this community."

"I commend the leadership of Woodland Cree First Nation for adopting this model of policing to address crime issues within the community," said Fred Lindsay, Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. "This agreement reaffirms the Alberta government's commitment to providing dedicated and culturally-sensitive policing to First Nations across the province."

This agreement provides funding for three officers between March 1, 2007 and March 31, 2012. The federal and provincial governments will share the cost of providing First Nations policing services with Canada's share being $1.4M and Alberta contributing $1.3M.

"The Woodland Cree First Nation is looking forward to having full time police situated on reserve," said Chief William Whitehead. "The successful negotiations of the tripartite agreement show that with hard work between the provincial and federal governments and the Woodland Council, we can successfully address the needs of the community."

"Serving Aboriginal communities is an important part of the RCMP's history and continues to be one of our priority areas," said Deputy Commissioner Rod Knecht, Commanding Officer for RCMP "K" Division. "This agreement helps us to fulfill our commitment to the safety, health and wellness of Aboriginal communities."

Under community tripartite agreements,the First Nations have their own dedicated, on-site, community-based contingent of members from an existing police service, usually the RCMP. Efforts are made for these RCMP police services to be staffed by Aboriginal police members.

With a population of approximately 1,000 members, the Woodland Cree First Nation includes members who hail from Cadotte, Marten and Simon Lake.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863

Trevor Gemmell
Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security Communications
780-644-1268

S/Sgt. John Haney
RCMP Peace River Detachment
780-624-6677